Only about a third of maids here get their weekly day off and both they and employers are responsible for the poor record.

Since January last year, bosses are required to give maids a weekly day off or payment in lieu. But most bosses are reluctant to give the day off, especially if they have had constant help at home, said employment agents.

They are supported, in some cases, by maids who prefer to be compensated for work rather than resting because they want to earn more money.

"Most employers get a maid not as a luxury but because they need the service for their family, for example, to take care of aged family members," said Ms Carene Chin, managing director of maid agency Homekeeper.